🔍

Maldon

VIC 3463 • Rest of VIC

1,665
Population (2021)
$30,784
Median Income
47.72 km²
Area
$268/wk
Median Rent
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About Maldon

Maldon is a historic rural township in central Victoria, situated approximately 140 kilometres north-west of Melbourne's CBD within the Mount Alexander Shire. Set at an elevation of 347 metres on the western slopes of the Tarrangower Range, Maldon is one of Australia's best-preserved gold rush towns and was declared Victoria's first Notable Town by the National Trust in 1966. With a population of 1,665 at the 2021 Census and a distinctly mature community — a median age of 60, the oldest of this cohort — the town draws retirees, artists, and tree-changers who value its heritage streetscapes, quiet pace, and creative culture.

Maldon's main street is a living museum of Victorian-era architecture, lined with period buildings housing cafés, antique shops, galleries, and boutique accommodation. The Victorian Goldfields Railway operates steam train journeys between Maldon and Castlemaine on weekends and public holidays, adding to the town's heritage appeal. The annual Maldon Folk Festival and other community events draw visitors from across the state and help sustain a thriving arts scene. Residents enjoy access to bushwalking tracks, local wineries, and the broader Mount Alexander region's natural beauty, while nearby Castlemaine (~18 kilometres) provides a regional centre for shopping, health services, and train connections to Melbourne.

Maldon falls under postcode 3463 and is governed by Mount Alexander Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Bendigo West (Northern Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3463
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Mount Alexander
Federal Electorate
Bendigo
State Electorate
Bendigo West (Northern Victoria)
Type
Rural
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-37.00°, 144.08°
Statistical Area
Rest of VIC
Area
47.72 km²
Elevation
347m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Limited local bus / community transport — Castlemaine 25-30 min

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
140 km
By Train
Drive to Castlemaine Station (~18km), then ~90 min on Bendigo Line to Southern Cross Station
By Car (Peak)
1 hr 45 min – 2 hrs 15 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
1 hr 35 min – 1 hr 50 min

🛣️ Calder Freeway connects via Castlemaine; most residents use Castlemaine Station for Melbourne trips

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

The compact town centre and main street shops are easily walkable; a car is needed for larger shopping trips or travel to regional services

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$268
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,300
Avg Household Size
1.9 people
Median Age
60 years

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,513
Census 2021
1,665
▲ 10.0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$24,856
Income 2021
$30,784
▲ 23.8% increase

Income Comparison

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,324
Born Overseas 250

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 120
  • 2. New Zealand 19
  • 3. Netherlands 18
  • 4. United States 10
  • 5. South Africa 9
  • 6. Italy 8
  • 7. Japan 7
  • 8. India 6
  • 9. Ireland 5
  • 10. Malaysia 5

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 851
Australian 581
Irish 296
Scottish 250
German 74
Dutch 46
Italian 41
French 19
Welsh 18
Hungarian 14

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,085
Both parents born in Australia
290
Both parents born overseas
186
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
56.8%
Christianity
33.6%
Buddhism
1.4%
Islam
0.3%
Hinduism
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
44 (2.6%)
5-14 years
107 (6.4%)
15-19 years
68 (4.1%)
20-24 years
38 (2.3%)
25-34 years
100 (6.0%)
35-44 years
117 (7.0%)
45-54 years
204 (12.3%)
55-64 years
336 (20.2%)
65-74 years
395 (23.7%)
75-84 years
199 (12.0%)
85+ years
66 (4.0%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Maldon known for? +

Maldon is renowned as one of Australia's best-preserved gold rush towns, declared Victoria's first Notable Town by the National Trust in 1966. It is famous for its Victorian-era streetscapes, the Victorian Goldfields Railway steam train, the Maldon Folk Festival, and a thriving arts and antiques scene.

How far is Maldon from Melbourne CBD? +

Maldon is approximately 140 kilometres north-west of Melbourne CBD, making it about a 1 hour 45 minute to 2 hour drive via the Calder Freeway and Castlemaine, or a combined drive and train journey of approximately 2 hours via Castlemaine Station.

Does Maldon have public transport? +

Maldon has limited public transport, with community bus services connecting to Castlemaine (~18km away). From Castlemaine Station, V/Line trains run to Melbourne's Southern Cross Station on the Bendigo Line in approximately 90 minutes. The Victorian Goldfields Railway operates heritage steam trains between Maldon and Castlemaine on weekends.

What is the population of Maldon? +

According to the 2021 Census, Maldon VIC has a population of 1,665 residents, up from 1,513 in 2016. With a median age of 60, Maldon has one of the oldest community profiles in regional Victoria, attracting retirees, creatives, and tree-changers.

Is Maldon a good place to live? +

Maldon is a wonderful choice for those seeking a heritage-rich, community-focused lifestyle in regional Victoria. Its compact, walkable town centre, arts culture, and natural surroundings make it particularly appealing to retirees and artists, though Melbourne commuters will find the distance a significant trade-off.

What is the postcode for Maldon? +

The postcode for Maldon VIC is 3463. Note that there is a separate, very small locality called Maldon in New South Wales (postcode 2571), so the state should be specified when searching.